Tuks break 100 against UCT

In a game where both teams’ attacking credentials are well documented, it was FNB Pukke’s defence that secured a 37-21 victory over FNB Shimlas at the Cape Town Stadium on Monday.

The 2016 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International will have a new champion. This was confirmed on Monday evening when FNB Pukke won their fourth match of the season. While the result saw FNB Pukke rise to second, FNB Shimlas dropped out of the top four and subsequently ended their title defence.

In reality, this game was won in the first half. FNB Pukke had the ideal start when wing, Lucian Cupido, benefitted from some great passing to open their account in just the sixth minute. Fullback, Rhyno Smith, would make up for missing the conversion with a successful penalty in the 15th minute, and a second try by eighth-man, Jeandre Rudolph, two minutes later meant the FNB Pukke led 15-0 after 17 minutes.

FNB Shimlas scored a vital converted try through center, Arthur Williams, just before the first strategy break in the 19th minute to remind FNB Pukke of their attacking prowess. However, FNB Pukke would score two seven-point tries in the remaining 20 minutes of the half to hold a commanding 31-7 lead at halftime.

Now comfortably in the lead, FNB Pukke took their foot of the pedal and relied on their impressive defence to withstand wave-after-wave of FNB Shimlas attack. After turning down several shots at goal, FNB Shimlas were finally rewarded with a converted five-point try in the 60th minute. Five minutes later, and they seemed to have an opportunity to turn the game on its head.

FNB Pukke’s flank, Jaco Jordaan, was shown a yellow card and FNB Shimlas had a way back into the game. But FNB Pukke’s defence stood resolute, as their defense would prove to be impenetrable for the next 10 minutes. In fact, by the time Jordaan returned to the field, FNB Pukke had extended their lead through a penalty. Jordaan would join his teammates confident that their 34-14 lead would be enough with five minutes remaining.

Ironically, FNB Shimlas managed to score a converted try in the 76th minute to reduce FNB Pukke’s lead to 13-points. But it would prove too little, too late. FNB Pukke would slot another penalty in the 79th minute to confirm FNB Shimlas’ journey had come to an end.

Ultimately, FNB Shimlas’ poor defence was exposed over the seven-round tournament to finish out of the top four, while FNB Pukke will now go into the playoffs with some much needed confidence after their 37-21 victory.

Three yellow cards for FNB Madibaz all but handed FNB CUT a 35-26 victory at the Cape Town Stadium on Monday.

FNB Madibaz will lament their poor discipline in a match they otherwise dominated. But playing with less than 15 men for 21 minutes of the game ultimately took its toll as FNB CUT raced to a comfortable 35-26 win.

Both sides had a slow start as their respective defences withstood any attack from the opposition. Little opportunities to score came for either team in the first quarter as they headed into the first strategy break 0-0.

The first points came in the 23rd minute when FNB Madibaz took a quick tap to catch FNB CUT’s defence napping and score a great converted five-point try. However, two yellow cards for the men from Port Elizabeth in the 27th and 28th minute opened a door for FNB CUT to take control.

FNB CUT would score two converted tries in the next 11 minutes to have a 14-7 lead at halftime. FNB Madibaz would turn down two shots at goal in the first 10 minutes of the second half, and would be rewarded with a five-point try in the 50th minute. The missed conversion meant FNB CUT remained in the lead by two-points.

Playing with confidence and using their dominance of the set pieces to good effect, FNB Madibaz regained the lead with a terrific nine-point try in the 54th minute. A successful penalty nine minutes later gave them a 26-14 lead with just over 15 minutes to play.

A FNB CUT try in the 67th minute was the beginning of a terrific comeback as the momentum began to shift. FNB Madibaz’ third yellow card soon afterwards gave FNB CUT the opportunity they needed. Two unconverted tries (a five and seven-pointer respectively) confirmed a famous victory for the men from Bloemfontein.

FNB CUT will remember this win for a long time, with the 35-26 victory giving them sixth position on the log.

The FNB Ikey Tigers find themselves on the wrong side of history, conceding 100 points

FNB Tuks made history by being the first team in history to score 100 points in a single Varsity Cup match, defeating FNB UCT 100-25 at the Cape Town Stadium on Monday.Both the FNB Ikey Tigers and FNB Tuks went into the match with something to play for. For FNB Tuks, the possibility of making it into the semi-finals of the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International was all that mattered, while the FNB Ikey Tigers were determined not to end their campaign without a win.

Both teams started off trying to get the edge on their opponent, but it was FNB Tuks who struck first blood as Van der Merwe powered over the line for a seven point try, with Stander converting.

The FNB Ikey Tigers hit back through captain Guy alexander to reduce the deficit to only two points, but FNB Tuks soon ran away with the game. Dries Swanepol scored a seven-point try after a clever chipped pass over FNB UCT’s defence before Van der Merwe scored two impressive nine-point tries in quick succession. FNB Tuks went on to score three more tries before the first half was up, including another nine-point try from Clyde Davids. At the break, the score was FNB Tuks 63-7 FNB UCT.

FNB UCT started quickly in the second half, scoring two nine-point tries within six minutes through Thomas Bednall. FNB Tuks quickly hit back and ensured that they finished strong. Man of the match and FNB Tuks player Duhan Van der Merwe scored a seven-point try in the 61st minute before he scored a nine- and seven-point try within the space of two minutes right before the final whistle.

On the stroke of the 80th minute, FNB Tuks were awarded a penalty and Tinus De Beer was successful in ensuring that his team made history by being the first team to score 100 points in a Varsity Cup match.

The FNB UJ ended the last round of the Varsity Cup group stages with a bang as they gave FNB Maties their first defeat of the season.

FNB UJ won the match 42-16 and secured a home semi-final in the process for finishing second on the log. FNB Maties rang the changes for this match to give some of their first team players a rest, ahead of their semi-final clash against FNB Tuks next Monday.

FNB Maties started the match well as winger, Brandon Asher-Wood scored a nine-point try, but FNB UJ fly half, Divan Nel drew his side level after two penalties and a drop goal.

Ronald Brown and captain, Jakobus Porter scored two great tries for FNB UJ just before the break as they led 27-9 at half time. FNB Maties were dealt a further blow before half time when centre, Chris Smit was yellow carded for a late tackle.

The side from Johannesburg continued where they left off in the second half as they scored two more tries through Caswell Khoza and Etienne Oosthuizen to claim a bonus point.

FNB Maties completely failed to get going in the second half as discipline and poor execution let the Maroon Machine down, but they did manage a consolation try at the end through Carlisle Nel.